The 5th edition of the Science and Innovation Forum (SIF) opened Tuesday at the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), with Director-General QU Dongyu calling for the benefits of science and innovation to reach those most in need at a time when 645 million people continue to face hunger worldwide.
Established by the Director-General in 2022, SIF is a key pillar of the World Food Forum (WFF), whose theme this year is “Innovate Today. Nourish Tomorrow.” The Forum serves as a platform to advance science-based solutions and foster collaboration among policymakers, researchers, innovators and partners working to transform agrifood systems.
Held from 13 to 16 October 2026, the Forum highlights the importance of harnessing science, technology and innovation to build agrifood systems that are more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable, helping to improve food security, nutrition and livelihoods.
While science and innovation are rapidly transforming how food is produced, accessed and consumed, one in four people worldwide still face food insecurity, and one in three cannot afford a healthy diet.
Groundbreaking innovations such as biotechnology, remote sensing, robotics and artificial intelligence are increasingly available. Yet their potential can only be realized if they are accessible, affordable and adopted by those who need them most.
Hundreds of millions of people still lack access to even the most basic life-changing technologies and innovations. Indeed, 96 percent of the world’s offline population lives in low- and middle-income countries, where food insecurity and hunger remain disproportionately concentrated.
“We must accelerate and scale science and innovation, so that our Members can drive progress across the Four Betters, leaving no one behind,” the Director-General said in his opening remarks. “Leaving no one behind is not a slogan. No farmer left behind is not an aspiration, but a reality test.”
Among those invited to address the opening ceremony were Princess Basma bint Ali of Jordan, who as FAO Regional Goodwill Ambassador for the Near East and North Africa spoke about the need to integrate science and technology with traditional and local knowledge; Ibrokhim Abdurakhmonov, Minister of Agriculture of Uzbekistan, who spoke about his prior experiences as a geneticist and as a former Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation; Armando Rodríguez Batista, Minister for Science, Technology and Environment of Cuba, who offered his views on what science ministries can do to ensure that research delivers for farmers and consumers; and Alexander Alimov, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, who talked about food security as a shared global concern and about the role of science diplomacy.
Measuring the impact of science and innovation
Through discussions, partnerships and knowledge exchange, the Forum aims to help Members translate scientific advances into practical solutions that improve food security, nutrition, resilience and livelihoods for farmers, while supporting evidence-based policymaking and investment.
In his opening remarks, the Director-General offered what he called three “reality tests” to gauge whether we are truly accelerating science and innovation towards impact at scale:
- Reach: Does the innovation reach the farmer, the fisher, the herder, the young entrepreneur, the woman who grows most of the food in her village? Does it come in her language, on her device, at a price she can afford
- Rigour: Science must be robust to be trusted. Poor data and weak evidence can cause harm, which is why SIF is focused on high-quality evidence synthesis, effective science communication, and on strengthening links between scientists and policymakers.
- Resources: Good ideas need funding to reach the people who need them. The first FAO-led dataset on Agricultural Science and Technology Indicators (ASTI) supports evidence-based investment decisions by helping countries monitor research and innovation trends, identify investment gaps, and better plan resources for agrifood R&D.
Partnerships are key to turning science and innovation into impact, which is why the Forum brings together governments, researchers, innovators, international organizations, youth and the private sector.
SIF 2026 events
In line with FAO’s 2026-2027 biennial theme, Fostering Innovation for Food Security, and anchored in the FAO Science and Innovation Strategy, SIF 2026 brings together high-level plenaries and interactive technical sessions.
Across the programme, participants will examine a wide range of topics, including science communication, AI governance, climate adaptation, One Health and innovative financing.
Joint sessions with the WFF Youth Initiative will create opportunities for intergenerational dialogue on youth careers, research, entrepreneurship and innovation, while highlighting the role young people play in driving agrifood systems transformation.
The programme will also showcase youth-led research and innovation, while the Young Scientists Group will highlight the experiences of young women in agrifood systems in conflict settings and launch its report.
Together, these discussions will focus on how science, innovation and investment can accelerate progress towards more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, strengthening food security and improving the lives of farmers, rural communities and consumers worldwide.
